Electrical spike activity in the human small intestine. A multiple electrode study of fasting diurnal variations

Abstract

An intraluminal probe with 10 pairs of bipolar electrodes was used for continuous recording of myoelectric activity along the entire small intestine during 24 hr in 2 normal fasting human subjects. Two types of regular migrating activity were observed: (1) Bands of a great number of spike potentials appearing at hourly intervals migrating through the entire small intestine. This activity corresponds to phase III of the "interdigestive myoelectric complex" described in animal experiments. (2) Bursts of a few spike potentials appearing with minute intervals migrating only through the jejunum. This activity has not previously been demonstrated in man nor in intact animals, but corresponds to the "minute-rhythm" described from in vitro experiments.